OKLAHOMA CITY – Clifford JW “Pete” White of Shawnee, OK passed from this life at the age of 87 on Friday, March 4, 2022 in Edmond, OK. He was born in Wayne, OK on July 17, 1934 to Charles Edward and Leeannie (Keeney) White. He was proud to say he was a Spaulding School Bobcat. Clifford was recruited by the Army in May, 1953 and spent almost 2 years in Germany and 6 more years back home in the Army reserves.
On June 29, 1956, Clifford married Nellie Louise Collier in Holdenville. They had 2 sons, Clifford Bryon and Gregory Wayne. With the sons and Nellie all involved in sports, they spent 43 years camping and traveling. He often acted as coach to all of them.
Clifford enjoyed a career spent driving 18-wheelers under the handle“The Galloping Goose.” He won a number of million mile awards for safe driving with no accidents. He could fix practically anything with a little Elmer’s glue and bailing wire and was always occupied with projects for the family and friends. He was never too busy to listen and share some encouraging words that were never rushed.
Clifford was a founding member of Lakeview Church of Christ in Bethel Acres where served as an elder, a Joy Bus driver, camp counselor, and volunteer worker. He had a huge impact on many people, young and old alike. Clifford was also a long-time member of the local tractor club putting his lifelong experiences to good use and fun.
After Nellie passed away in June, 1999, God sent Shirley Blue Perryman to bring a spark back to his engine. They married at Lakeview on August 18, 2001 and had 20 years of fun and traveling adventures.
Clifford loved to fish, go camping, tinker, play dominoes, listen to lots of good music, and spend as much time as he could with the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. His family was his pride and joy.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Nellie, his sisters Rosetta, Martha“Lorene”, Evora“Gal”, Bernice, and Betty; brothers Alvie-Lee, James Edward, and Charlie; son-in-law John Papageorge; and great-granddaughter Thea Ackland.
Clifford is survived by his wife Shirley; brother Vernon and brother-in-law Paul Blue; sister Lois, and sisters-in-law Janell, Doris, Vera, and Linda; sons C. Bryon and wife Mary Beth, and Gregory and wife Pamela, and son-in-law Larry Windsor and wife Donna; daughter-in-law Debbie Papageorge; 13 grandchildren: (C. Bryon) Bryon Lee White, Kierston Goff and husband Derek, (Mary Beth) Lauren Floyd and husband Terry, JD Casteel and wife Laura, (Gregory) Kora Ackland and husband Aaron, Jesse White and wife Mary, Clayton and Isaiah White, (Larry) Jessica Lingle and husband Greg, Rachel Dahlgren and husband Erik, and (Debbie) Matt, Morgan, and Cole Papageorge; 12 great-grandchildren: Claire and Jackson Floyd, Jeremiah Casteel, Oliver and Mabel“Sissy”Ackland, Shilo and Simon“Sammy”White, Grady, Clara, and Josie Lingle, and Luke and Katelyn Dahlgren; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loved ones too numerous to count.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service in Shawnee. Family will be available to greet friends from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Saturday. A funeral ceremony for Clifford will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at Lakeview Church of Christ (15301 Hwy 102, Bethel Acres) at 2:30 pm. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be available on the Walker Funeral & Cremation Service Facebook page. Officiating will be Brad Davison, Ben Glover, and Mike Shelburne. Burial will follow at Dale Cemetery.
